Kaart van het hertogdom Brabant 1638

This detailed map of the Duchy of Brabant, made by an anonymous hand, is an exercise in the power of print. Consider the process: An image carefully engraved into a metal plate, likely copper, then inked and pressed onto paper, leaving behind a permanent impression. It’s a mode of production reliant on skilled labor, from the initial design to the operation of the printing press. The very act of rendering territory in this way – distilling sprawling landscapes into a portable image – speaks to a culture of expanding trade and political administration. The proliferation of printed maps in this period reflects a growing emphasis on standardization, organization, and control. The clean lines, precise lettering, and symbolic elements all combine to create a sense of order. Far from being neutral records, maps like this one were active agents in shaping how people understood the world, and their place within it.